The Instagram account of Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has reportedly been taken down following a backlash from Nigerian fans after the Super Eagles’ dramatic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final defeat to Morocco.
Laryea officiated the tense match, which ended 0-0 after extra time before Morocco won 4-2 on penalties to secure a place in the final. Concerns about his appointment had been raised even before the game due to the historic football rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana. Those worries resurfaced as several decisions went against the Super Eagles during the match.
A particularly controversial moment came when defender Calvin Bassey received a yellow card, leading to a one-match suspension. Many fans felt the booking was harsh and unnecessary given the significance of the fixture.
After the final whistle, frustrated supporters reportedly traced Laryea’s social media accounts and mass-reported them. As of the latest update, his Instagram page is no longer accessible.
Nigerian defender Bright Osayi-Samuel voiced his frustration in the mixed zone:
“The referee was appalling. I’m not saying that’s the reason why we lost but he was making very, very wrong decisions and it’s really painful to see that we have referees like that in a game like today.”
Striker Akor Adams also showed his displeasure, giving a short but pointed remark to reporters:
“Make una go interview the referee,” he said while leaving the pitch at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Since the match, debate over Laryea’s officiating has continued online, with many Nigerian fans accusing the referee of favouring the host nation. No official complaint has been filed, but the controversy remains a major topic among supporters.
